Blame for the cutbacks has been pointed at the governor and his SAFE Act gun control measures.

But the governor argues those job losses are simply a function of Remington consolidating operations in Alabama.

"I know we tend to think we're New York, it must be about us. Sometimes it's not about us," he said.

The layoffs also aren't political, Cuomo added.

He did signal the state is trying to show it's support for the economic anchor of a small upstate New York community.

"We have been talking to Remington about rehabbing and redoing their facility here in New York, which is a very important part of New York. It's a big employer for New York. Their plant here is old and we want to work with them on restoring that."

Remington Arms' main factory has been in the small town of Ilion, east of Utica, for more than 100 years. It employs about 1,300 people at the plant.